Hazardous Waste Label Requirements

The requirements surrounding hazardous waste labeling and shipping in the U.S. is governed by a complicated and extensive set of rules and regulations. Hazardous waste label requirements are just one of the many important steps in the handling and shipping of hazardous waste safely.

In order to move hazardous waste, generators must be in compliance not only with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations but with the Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements for shipping, along with any state and local agency’s requirements for labeling and shipping. The DOT and the EPA work in tandem under a memorandum of understanding between the two bodies.

Why Should I Care About Proper Hazardous Waste Labeling?

Hazardous waste, simply defined, is that waste with properties that make it dangerous or capable of having a harmful effect on human health, animals, or the environment. Hazardous waste is generated from many sources, ranging from the industrial manufacturing processes, laboratories and hospitals to agricultural products, even batteries. It comes in many forms, including liquids, solids, gases, and sludge.

With so many different sources and forms, abiding by hazardous waste labeling regulations is important to both environmental protection and the safety of humans and animals.

Failure to meet regulations can result in penalties including large fines or even imprisonment.  

Who is Responsible for Proper Hazardous Waste Labeling?

Hazardous waste generators are those companies, manufacturers, institutions, labs, hospitals, and other entities that by site, actions, and processes generates, produces, causes, or brings about a waste that is listed in the hazardous waste regulations by the EPA, and determined to be a characteristically hazardous or otherwise identifiable hazardous waste.

Generators are fully responsible for the proper labeling and disposal of resulting hazardous waste.

EPA vs DOT Regulations

In general, the EPA regulates pre-transport requirements (how waste is labeled before it is shipped or transported), while the DOT regulates requirements for the waste once it is in transport. Both the DOT and EPA offer specific regulatory guidance for hazardous waste generators to follow and each body references each other to make sure the implementation of the requirements are uniform.

Needless to say, if you are generating and packaging waste, you will need to transport it at some point. Labeling and marking of all hazardous waste containers appropriately according to both EPA and DOT requirements is necessary in properly dealing with the waste cradle-to-grave.

EPA Requirements

danger hazardous materials signThe EPA primarily determines the types or classes of hazardous waste to be marked, and how waste containers should be labeled to communicate this. Technically, the EPA only requires having the words “hazardous waste,” in a description of any container of hazards, along with the date the accumulation started. This is required to enhance safety and environmental protection. Labels are not required to include the identity of the container’s contents, only that the contents are hazardous.

DOT Requirements

Hazmat MarkersThe DOT requirements for hazardous waste labeling, while they are being transported or shipped, are much more complex than EPA requirements, but are overseen and determined by EPA guidelines. The requirements of a shipper to be DOT compliant include:

  • Determination
  • Class/division identification
  • Packaging
  • Marking
  • Training/certification
  • Emergency response information
  • Blocking and bracing
  • Incident reporting
  • And more…

See this FMCSA page on federal hazmat compliance for more details on DOT requirements.

Dealing with Hazardous Shipping Requirements

Federal regulations are extremely complicated and difficult to follow. Add state and local requirements, and the difficulty of moving hazardous waste increases further. The following are the best options for dealing with hazardous waste labeling and shipping:

HazMat Certification

Getting certified with the OSHA, DOT, IATA, or EPA for hazardous waste training is one way to ensure proper compliance. This route takes time, money, and must be renewed every 2-3 years.

Consult a Professional

Consulting a hazardous waste professional is often the fastest and most cost-effective route for generators. This ensures that regulations are met, avoiding costly fines, time wasted on having packages denied for improper labeling, and frustration.


If you are having trouble with hazmat label requirements, let MLI Environmental help you with hazardous materials shipping. We consult with you and provide all the necessary labeling and packaging you need to remain compliant!

Disposing of Empty Chemical Containers CTA